It is just another step in the breaking down of the English language. Does it surprise you? One would think that people would be proud of their language and use it correctly.

I think it is just a symptom of a bigger problem - the education system. My husband is proctoring a math course at a local high school for a local university - the woman they have teaching the high school portion of the math has a degree in Home Ec. and Education....how on earth does that prepare someone to teach college level calculus?

We don't take pride in anything substantial anymore. Being educated isn't cool. Speaking properly isn't cool. Most of what schools teach these days is a joke and with every day that passes without change is another day that these kids slip further and further away.

I so agree with both of you. We've allowed the "dumbing down" of America. This "no child left behind" debacle is just that. A debacle! Teachers are no longer allowed to teach. They have to "teach to the test" which is all in the name of funding. Geez. We wonder why so many from other countries are better educated.

__________________
love n kisses,

Life does not happen in a vacuum. Lifestyle changes must transcend habits and routines. - thanks midwife.

"I says" instead of "I said". My mom drives me nuts with that, and she is very educated and used to be a teacher! Sometimes habits just develop anyway, I guess.

__________________ Started 4/14/08 LINK TO PROGRESS PICS 1/1/2009 "It is impossible to live pleasurably without living wisely, well, and justly, and it is impossible to live wisely, well, and justly without living pleasurably" Epicurus

I heard a TEACHER from what I thought was a decent school district here say "irregardless" on the news last night.

A TEACHER!

My DH sometimes says "hows come" and I give him the inquisition every time he says it. He hasn't said it in a while.

I wondered where an intelligent man with an advanced degree ever got a phrase like that. I found out over Thanksgiving that he got it from his mother, who had a daycare out of her home for years. She uses kid language a lot.

I cringe to think of him in a meeting with engineers and builders (he's an architect) saying, "Hows come..."

And it's not just talking. Writing.... no one seems to know where to use its vs. it's or that an apostrophe doesn't belong in a plural word, only a possessive. Makes me want to scream!! And those who write that they need "to lose weight." Or that they want to "weight less." It really annoys me too that I mispronounciations places like NPR news or in an audiobook!

ETA: even though I wrote loose in the "to lose weight" example above, the board apparently corrected it! It must feel the same way about improper word use.

__________________Pat

"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." Christopher Robin to Pooh

It is just another step in the breaking down of the English language. Does it surprise you? One would think that people would be proud of their language and use it correctly.

I think it is just a symptom of a bigger problem - the education system. My husband is proctoring a math course at a local high school for a local university - the woman they have teaching the high school portion of the math has a degree in Home Ec. and Education....how on earth does that prepare someone to teach college level calculus?

We don't take pride in anything substantial anymore. Being educated isn't cool. Speaking properly isn't cool. Most of what schools teach these days is a joke and with every day that passes without change is another day that these kids slip further and further away.

Oh, boy. YOU AND I SERIOUSLY NEED TO CHAT! As a former educator myself and now a mother of two, I agree with what you have written. My children have been attending Chinese schools for three years now. We are currently deciding what our next step will be in educating our children in a society that discourages learning.

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"Be who you are, say what you feel. Those who matter, don't mind. Those who mind, don't matter." --Dr. Seuss

Or how about "the reason is because... " instead of "the reason is that... "

Or to/too/two

Principal/principle, stationary/stationery and capitol/capital I'm a little more willing to willing to overlook as they're not used as much. But I saw on a thread earlier today that someone loved Miracle Whip but couldn't spell it! Go look at your jar!

__________________Pat

"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." Christopher Robin to Pooh

Or how about "the reason is because... " instead of "the reason is that... "

LOL, or how about just "because?"

__________________ Started 4/14/08 LINK TO PROGRESS PICS 1/1/2009 "It is impossible to live pleasurably without living wisely, well, and justly, and it is impossible to live wisely, well, and justly without living pleasurably" Epicurus